Starting device for a vibrating element for time measuring means

ABSTRACT

A starting device for a vibrating element in which the vibrating element is locked in a position of substantially the maximum amplitude prior to starting and instantaneously released for free vibration at starting and, at the same time, a driving circuit for the element is energized.

United States Patent [191 Mizutani et a1.

STARTING DEVICE FOR A VIBRATING ELEMENT FOR TIME MEASURIN MEANS Inventors: Nagao Mizutani, Hachioji; Masamitsu Nojima, Tokyo, both of Japan Citizen Watch Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan Filed: Dec. 23, 1971 Appl. No.: 211,440

Assignee:

US. Cl ..318/114, 58/23 V, 310/25 318/130,318/131,318/132,331/156 Int.- Cl. ..H02k 33/10 Field of Search ..3l8/l 14, 119, 126,

318/127,128,129,131,132,-136,138; 310/25; 331/156; 58/23 R, 23 A, 23 BA, 23 I D, 23 V, 23 TF, 39.5

3,731,167 May 1, 1973 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,656,133 4/1972 Ichikawa et al.... ..310/25 X 3,310,756 3/1967 Dostal ..318/128 X Primary Examiner-J. D. Miller Assistant Examiner-H. Huberfeld Attorney-S. Delvalle Goldsmith et a1.

[57] ABSTRACT A starting device for a vibrating element in which the vibrating element is locked in a position of substantially the maximum amplitude prior to starting and instantaneously released for free vibration at starting and, at the same time, a driving circuit for the element is energized.

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STARTING DEVICE FOR A VIBRATING ELEMENT FOR TIME MEASURING MEANS usual wall-clock and a table-clock, however, it cannot be used for example in a time measuring means in which an instantaneous starting is required.

In a conventional reed type vibrating element, it takes a substantial time since a starting signal is given to energize a driving circuit to start vibration until amplitude is gradually increased to that of a regular vibration. Therefore, this type of vibration element is not suitable for an application such as a time measuring means in which it is required to provide regular vibration waves just after a starting signal is given. In order to solve this problem, it has been proposed to make a vibration plate continuously vibrate or to energize the driving circuit in advance of the starting signal. However, the former solution is disadvantageous in that a battery is rapidly consumed when it is used as an electric power source. The latter solution isalso not preferable because the handling is very troublesome and switch actuation may often be forgotton.

The present invention has an object to eliminate the above disadvantages of prior art and provide a device for instantaneously starting 'a reed type vibration element when a starting signal is given.

According to the present invention, a device for instantaneously starting a reed type vibrating element comprises a mechanical means for locking a vibration element in an initially stressed position corresponding substantially to a maximum amplitude and instantaneously releasing the element for starting, and means for energizing a driving circuit for the vibration element simultaneously with the start of vibration of the element.

The above and other objects and features of the present invention will now be described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof taking reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

'FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical elevational view of a vibration element embodying the present invention with parts shown in stationary positions;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing parts during starting; I

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 (a) and (B) show diagrammatical perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 (A) and (B) show fragmentary plan views of a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6 (A) and (B) show fragmentary plan views of still further embodiment of the present invention.

designates a vibration plate secured at its one end 1a to a fixed base plate 2. The reference numerals 3 and 4 designate members of magnetic material, both secured to one arm lb' of the vibrating plate 1. The members 3 and 4 are further positioned respectively in a driving coil 5 and a detecting coil 6. The driving coil 5 and the Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1- detecting coil 6 are connected in an electric circuit 7 as shown in the drawing. The detecting coil 6 has one of its terminals connected through parallely connected resistor R and condenser C to the base of a transistor T, the other terminal being connected with one of terminals of the driving coil 5 and one contact of a power switch 24. The other contact of the power switch 24 is connected with the positive terminal of a battery E, the negative terminal of the battery being connected with the emitter of the transistor T and one of signal output terminals. The other terminal of the driving coil 5 is connected to the collector of the transistor T and the other of the signal output terminals, and also through a condenser C to the base of the transistor T.

The signal output terminals herein provide clock pulses for electrically driving a timeindicating device and the like in a manner well known by those skilled in the art, the details of the time indicating means including any associated clock pulse modifying circuits forming no part of the present invention. The reference numeral 8 designates a cam A for co-operation with the vibrating plate so as to lock one arm 1b of the vibrating plate 1 at a position of maximum amplitude and release for starting to expedite the free vibration thereof. The cam A 8 is secured to a gear 9 by means of four pins 10 so that they can'rotate together as a unit. A shaft 11 is rotatably inserted into a hole formed at the center of the cam A8. A detent 12 is resiliently urged to contact with pins 10 so that the cam A8 can be stopped at'a position in which the vibration plate 1 is locked and second position in which the plate 1 is released'for vibration. The reference numerals l3 designates a cam B for co-operation with the vibration plate 1 so as to lock two arms 10 and 1d at a position of maximum amplitude and instantaneously release during starting for lock or release the the arms of the vibrating plate 1.

The reference numeral 17 designates a starting bar 1on gitudinally slidably mountedby a pair of guide pins 18 and 19. The bar 17 has a pawl 20 at its end pivotably mounted thereon by a pin 21. The pawl 20 is biased to rotate counterclockwise and formed with a projection 20a for providing a stop for limiting the counterclockwise rotation thereof. The bar 17 is provided with a projection 17a to which oneend of a spring 23 is secured. The other end of the spring 23 is secured to a pin mounted on the stationary part of the device. Thus, the spring 23 serves to draw the bar 17 toward right as seen in the drawings. The reference numeral 24 designates a power switch which is adapted to be closed for energizing the electric circuit 7. The switch 24 is so arranged in the circuit 7 that it is actuated by the cam A 8. Thus, it should be noted that, when the vibrating plate 1 is locked by the cam A 8 and the cam B 13, the power switch 24 is opened, however, when the cams 8 and 13 are rotated by the bar 17, the arms lb, 1c and 1d are released and at the same time the power switch 24 is closed to energize the vibrating plate 1 so as to make the vibration continue.

The operation of the above described arrangement with now be described taking reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. From the lock position shown in FIG. 1, the bar 17 is pushed toward left against the action of the spring 23 so as to push one of the pins 10 toward left through the pawl 20. Thus, the cam A 8 is rotated counterclockwise so that its lobe 8a is moved away from one arm lb of the vibrating plate 1 to instantaneously release the same. At the same time, the cam B 13 is also rotated clockwise in synchronism with the cam A 8 through the gears 9 and 14, so that its lobe 13a is moved away from the arms 10 and 1d of the vibrating plate 1 to instantaneously release the same. Therefore, the plate 1 is allowed to vibrate.

As the bar 7 is further moved toward left, the cam A8 is further rotated counterclockwise until it closes the power switch 24 to energize the circuit 7. Thus, the circuit including the aforementioned transistor T, battery E, condensers C and C resistor R, driving coil 5, magnetic member 3, detecting coil 6 and magneticmember 4 serves to detect the movement of the vibrating plate 1 by means of the detecting coil 6 and the magnetic member 4. The transistor T passes a driving current whereby the driving coil and the magnetic member 3 apply a driving force to the plate 1. Thus, the vibration of the plate 1 is excited. FIG. 2 shows the operative condition. The feature of the present invention is that once the starting signal is applied, the vibrating plate 1 instantaneously start to make regular vibration.

FIGS. 4 A and B show another embodiment .of the presentinvention, in which thecams Sand '13 are replaced by a wedge type locking member 31 which is adapted to engage bent portions 1b., 1c and 1d formed at the ends of arms on the vibrating plate 1'. During starting, the member 31 is simply retracted to release the arms.

In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 a and B, there is provided a ratchet type locking member 33 adjacent to free ends of the vibrating plate 1'. 'An incrementary advancing ratchet wheel 34 is provided in coaxial relation with the locking member 33, whereby the locking member 33 is incrementary advanced with every one-eighth rotation of the ratchet wheel 34 in the direction shown by an arrow 35 and applies starting action to the plate 1 with everyone-forth rotation of the ratchet wheel.

i 'In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 A and B, a

base plate 36 has a pair of pins 37 and 38 for engagement with guide slots 39 and 40 of a sliding plate 41 which in turn has a pair-of'pins 42 and 43. A clip like locking member 44 is provided between the pins 42 and 43 in such a manner that it can be floatingly supported between the heads 42a and 43a of the pins 42 and 43 and the sliding plate 41.

When the sliding plate 41 is moved from the position shown in FIG. 6 A in .the direction shown by an arrow 45, the pin 42 pushes the surface 44a of the locking member 44 so that the latter is supported by a resilient member 46 secured to the base plate 36 and opened to urge the arms of the vibrating plate 1" outwardly and From the above description, it will be clear that the reed type vibrating element in accordance with the present invention is capable of producing output signals of higher frequency as compared with a balanced wheel type vibrating plate, so that it can provide a highly analyzed indication. According to the present invention, the vibrating arms of the plate are locked at the position of maximum amplitude prior to the starting, and the arms are instantaneously released at starting and, at the same time, the driving circuit is energized. Therefore, the vibrating plate instantaneously starts to vibrate at'a regular frequency when a starting signal is applied. Thus, when the device is used in a time 'measuring means, it is not required to separately provide a power switch, so that it is simple to operate and does not require any current during stationary condition. Further, it is possible to provide an output of exact frequency simultaneous with starting;

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a'vibration element and a driver circuit sustaining vibration of the element with a predetermined vibration amplitude, mechanical locking means for holding the vibration element in an initial position corresponding to said predetermined amplitude, a source of energy, starting means for instantaneously releasing the locking means to initiate vibration of the element from said initial position, and means responsive to said release of the locking means for connecting the source of energy to the driver circuit to energize the same.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said locking means includes cam means engageable with the vibra tion element for deformation thereof when displaced to engaged by the cam means in therelease position to close the same. I

II II t 8 II! 

1. In combination with a vibration element and a driver circuit sustaining vibration of the element with a predetermined vibration amplitude, mechanical locking means for holding the vibration element in an initial position corresponding to said predetermined amplitude, a source of energy, starting means for instantaneously releasing the locking means to initiate vibration of the element from said initial position, and means responsive to said release of the locking means for connecting the source of energy to the driver circuit to energize the same.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said locking means includes cam means engageable with the vibration element for deformation thereof when displaced to a locking position, and selectively actuated means engageable with the cam means for displacement thereof to a release position spaced from the vibration element.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the release responsive means comprises a normally open switch engaged by the cam means in the release position to close the same. 